Hobbies And Interests
Burial
The on-site burial option is viable only when an animal has died on its owner's property and the horse will be buried on that property. The California Environmental Protection Agency (CEPA) asks that this method only be attempted with there are no other options available, as it is the least environmentally safe way to dispose of dead livestock.
Problems With Burial
While burial is a historically common method of animal disposal, concerns about groundwater contamination have led California to limit its use. An animal that died of an infectious disease may, if buried close enough to a groundwater source, contaminate that source with pathogens. Accordingly, regional water quality control boards in the state will usually only allow burials for animals that have died from noninfectious causes such as old age or euthanasia for lameness. Before burying an animal, the owner or operator of the proposed burial site must submit a request to the regional board, which will either approve or deny the request.
Grave
If an animal is to be buried, the California Department of Food and Agriculture has suggested guidelines for the grave's location. Animals should be buried in shallow trenches at least 100 feet from wells. The bottom of the grave should be at least 5 feet above any groundwater. The animals' bodies should be covered in lime and covered in at least 3 feet of dirt. Property owners are requested to keep records for burial numbers and locations in case excavations are necessary to correct groundwater issues caused by the burial.
Alternatives
California favors other methods of animal disposal instead of burial. Off-site rendering separates the animal's fat from its bones so both can be reused. Incineration is preferred over open-air burning because the high temperatures -- at least 2,000 degrees Fahrenheit -- convert any toxic gases and pathogens into carbon and ash. Open-air burning is fine, however, in the absence of nearby incinerators.